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Region: General | Usage example: Don’t paint the entire team with a broad brush because of one error.

Paint with a broad brush

Meaning

Generalize too widely without nuance.

Usage

Used as a caution against sweeping judgments.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Painting imagery for using wide strokes that blur detail.

Popular in political discourse in the 20th century.